A surgeon who deliberately amputated his own legs using dry ice to fulfill a sexual fantasy has been struck off the United Kingdom's medical register. Neil Hopper, a consultant vascular surgeon, was jailed for 32 months in 2025 for fraud totaling more than $872,822 AUD after causing his own injuries. He used dry ice to freeze his legs to the point they were no longer viable, requiring amputation. Hopper intended to gain $441,284 from one insurer and $432,686 from another. He also admitted three charges of possessing extreme pornography.
Urgent removal from medical register
The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service decided that due to his convictions, Hopper poses a risk to patient safety and immediate action was needed to maintain public confidence in the profession. His erasure from the register took effect immediately. Still in prison, Hopper made no substantive objections. The decision states his registration is suspended from the date of the order, with the substantive direction taking effect 28 days after written notification unless an appeal is made.
Background of the case
Hopper's web of lies was exposed when police arrested Marius Gustavson, known as the "Eunuch Maker." Gustavson, who had his own penis cut off and leg frozen, was jailed for life. Hopper bought three videos from EunuchMaker.com showing men willingly having their genitalia removed. He exchanged around 1500 messages with Gustavson about his own lower leg amputations and his obsession with becoming an amputee, which he described as a sexual interest.
In 2020, Hopper appeared on the TV show This Morning, falsely claiming he lost his legs to sepsis after a family camping trip. He said he and his daughter fell ill, but she recovered while he required amputation. He opted for a single surgery rather than multiple operations and skin grafts. The media dubbed him the "bravest surgeon in Britain." He was even shortlisted in the European Space Agency's search for an astronaut with a disability and featured in a documentary about his progress toward space.
Defense and previous restrictions
Andrew Langdon KC, defending, said Hopper grew up in a rural Welsh village and felt he was "in the wrong body" from a young age, wanting to be female. Hopper had worked at Royal Cornwall Hospitals since 2013. General Medical Council restrictions were in place from April 2023, and he was suspended from the medical register since December 2023. The trust stated the charges did not relate to his professional conduct and there was no evidence of risk to patients. He was suspended from duty in March 2023 following his arrest.
